An enzyme accelerates a reaction by a factor of 1011 over the uncatalyzed reaction in water.
a. If the effect of the enzyme is solely to reduce the energy of the transition state, by what amount does it reduce the energy of the transition state (EA)? Assume RT = 2.5 kJ/mol.
b. Sketch out a reaction coordinate diagram for this particular reaction and note the important parameters including activation energies for catalyzed and uncatalyzed reactions, as well as ?G. The energy of the products is less than the reactants.
c. Enzymes don't change the equilibrium of a reaction but they do affect the rates of catalysis. Explain why the reverse reaction is slower in this particular case.